Politico: Dick Morris "has found ways to pad his bank account off the midterm elections"

In an article today, Politico reported that Fox News political analyst Dick Morris is now acting as a "Republican campaign surrogate," appearing at rallies for Republican politicians and using his appearances on Fox to campaign for the GOP. Politico also reported: "While Morris stressed that he provides informal assistance to candidates on a pro bono basis, he has nevertheless found ways to pad his bank account off the midterm elections."

According to Politico, one of the groups with which Morris is associated, Americans for Prosperity, has "declined to say whether the group has been paying Morris," but the president of the group added: "We are happy to pay people, in general, if we are happy with their message."

In addition, Politico reports that "Morris's elevated profile also helps with marketing a recently published book he wrote with McGann titled, 'Take Back America: A Battle Plan,' which he bills as a blueprint for a GOP takeover of Congress."

From the Politico article:

[I]n his latest iteration, Morris has become something of a principal himself, headlining rallies, fundraising and advocating for Republican House candidates. He's formally endorsed some of the party's top prospects, raised money for a slate of GOP House candidates including David McKinley in West Virginia, and Bob Gibbs and Tom Ganley in Ohio, and even blasted out a message to his e-mail list subscribers heaping praise on David Harmer, a challenger for a northern California-based seat.

[...]

While Morris stressed that he provides informal assistance to candidates on a pro bono basis, he has nevertheless found ways to pad his bank account off the midterm elections.

He's been particularly active with Americans for Prosperity, the anti-tax group that is running TV ads against Democrats. The organization has sent Morris to headline rallies in Colorado, Virginia and Arkansas, where he has implored audiences to elect conservatives to Congress. He also attended the organization's recent "Defending the Dream Summit" in Washington, where he appeared alongside Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell at the kick-off session.

Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, declined to say whether the group was paying Morris to appear at its events but added, "We are happy to pay people, in general, if we are happy with their message."

Morris's elevated profile also helps with marketing a recently published book he wrote with McGann titled, "Take Back America: A Battle Plan," which he bills as a blueprint for a GOP takeover of Congress.

As Media Mattershasdocumented, Dick Morris has quite a history of ethically dubious behavior, shilling for financial schemes as well as for Republican candidates and causes. And Fox News is deeply implicated in Morris' schemes.

Morris has used the credibility that his Fox News employment gives to conservatives to shill for financial schemes, including urging readers to buy an investment newsletter where he gets a cut of each subscription. Morris frequently uses his employment by Fox News to urge viewers to contribute to or help Republican candidates or causes. He has also directed viewers to donate to political organizations to which he apparently has financial ties.

All of this is only the very tip of the iceberg that is Dick Morris' many, many problems. For instance, Morris has spread falsehoods about progressives, made comically off-track political predictions, and has a history of extremist statements, including his comment that "Those crazies in Montana who say, 'We're going to kill ATF agents because the U.N.'s going to take over' - well, they're beginning to have a case."